Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli infection, determinants and antimicrobial resistance patterns among under-five children with diarrhea in Amhara National Regional State, Northwest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Children with under-five year age disproportionally affected with foodborne illness. Campylobacteriosis is the most common foodborne disease next to Norovirus infection. Macrolides are commonly prescribed as the first line of treatment for Campylobacter gastroenteritis, with fluoroquinolone and tetracycline as secondary options. However, resistance to these alternatives has been reported in various regions worldwide. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence, associated risk-factors and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli among under-five children with diarrhea. METHODS: Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from November, 2022 to April 2023. The study sites were selected using a random sampling technique, while the study subjects were included using a convenient sampling technique. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Stool samples were inoculated onto modified charcoal cefoperazone deoxycholate agar and incubated for 48 hours. The suspected colonies were analyzed using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry to confirm the species. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using a disc diffusion technique. All potential covariates (independent variables) were analyzed one by one using bivariate logistic regression model to identify candidate variables with P value < 0.25. Multivariable logistic analysis was used to identify potential associated factors using the candidate variables. A p value ≤ 0.05 at a 95% confidence interval was statistically significant. RESULT: Among the 428 samples, 7.0% (CI: 4.5-9.3) were confirmed Campylobacter species. The prevalence of C. jejuni and C. coli among under-five children was 5.1% (CI: 3.0-7.0) and 1.9% (CI: 0.7-3.3), respectively. C. jejuni (73.3%) was dominant over C. coli (26.7%). The resident, contact with domestic animals, and parents/guardians education level were significantly associated with campylobacteriosis among under-five children. One-third of the Campylobacter isolates (33.3%, 10/30) were resistant to ciprofloxacin and tetracycline whereas 10.0% (3/30) were resistant to erythromycin. Furthermore, 3.3% (1/30) of the Campylobacter were found to be multidrug-resistant. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of Campylobacter species was 7.0%. The resistance rate of Campylobacter species of ciprofloxacin and tetracycline-resistance strains was 33.3%. Peri-urban residence, contact with domestic animals, and low parental educational statuses were significantly associated factors with increased risk of Campylobacter infection. Continuous surveillance on antimicrobial resistance and health education of personal and environmental hygiene should be implemented in the community.

Isolation, Identification, and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profiles of Staphylococcus aureus from Clinical Mastitis in Sebeta Town Dairy Farms.

A cross-sectional study was carried out in and around Sebeta town dairy farms, Finfinne special zone, Ethiopia, from December 2019 to May 2020 to isolate, identify, and test antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Staphylococcus aureus from clinical mastitis. A total of 116 milk samples were purposively collected from 57 lactating cows with clinical mastitis. Isolation and identification of Staphylococcus aureus were carried out by using primary and secondary biochemical tests. Besides, Biolog was used for microbial identification systems. To know if the isolates develop resistance to antibiotics, the antimicrobial susceptibility test (ATS) was performed on Mueller-Hinton agar by the disk diffusion method. From a total of 57 lactating cows and 116 teat quarters examined, 21.05% (12/57) and 15.52% (18/116) were positive for S. aureus from clinical mastitis, respectively. From a total of 116 milk samples collected, 15.52% (18/116) Staphylococcus aureus were isolated, and from 11 farms surveyed, about 72.72% (8/11) overall farm prevalence of clinical mastitis due to S. aureus was recorded. All the 18 Staphylococcus aureus isolates were found susceptible to sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim, erythromycin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, and chloramphenicol. However, high level of resistance was observed to common drugs such as penicillin (88.89%, 16/18) and tetracycline (61.11%, 11/18). The observed high level of resistance to penicillin and tetracycline also indicates the need to visit our treatment guidelines for mastitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Therefore, improved management and early treatment of the cases with drug of choice after the antimicrobial susceptibility test for each specific case can reduce chance of further development of resistance and are imperative to tackle clinical mastitis occurring at Sebeta and other similar farms in Ethiopia.

Molecular Characterization of Lumpy Skin Disease Virus Isolates from Outbreak Cases in Cattle from Sawena District of Bale Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a viral disease caused by LSD virus and is one of the most economically significant transboundary and emerging diseases of cattle. LSD causes considerable economic losses due to emaciation, damage to hides, infertility, and loss of milk production. In Ethiopia, the disease is distributed almost in all regions and is regarded as one of the most economically important livestock diseases in the country. An outbreak investigation of the disease was monitored from October 2016 to April 2017 in southern pastoral areas of Bale Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. In December 2016, LSD outbreak occurred in Sawena district of Bale Zone, from which necessary biopsy samples were collected from actively infected animals for the purpose of virus isolation, and characterization using different molecular techniques at National Animal Health and Diagnostic Investigation Center (NAHDIC) of Sebeta, Ethiopia. In addition, clinical examination of infected and in-contact animals was carried out together with a questionnaire survey. Based on the clinical manifestations, LSD was recorded in 18% (94/522) of examined cattle, whereas biopsy samples from 20 clinically positive animals were collected for further laboratory process. The morbidity rate was higher in animals less than two years 28.97% (31/107) than other ages and showed a statistically significant difference with P < 0.05. Female animals showed higher morbidity rate of 20.59% (76/369) than male animals (11.76%) (18/153) with a significant difference at P ≤ 0.003. Mortality rate and case fatality were also significantly higher in young animals than other age groups. Viruses were isolated from both skin biopsies and nasal swabs on Vero cell line. From both skin biopsies and nasal swabs, the virus DNA was identified by amplifying the 172 bp DNA fragment using real-time and conventional PCR. Providing adequate diagnostic facilities, establishing strategic policies for effective control and eradication and awareness creations for communities for early identification or reporting were recommendations made to minimize economic losses of the disease.